DePaul University Athletics
Tuesday, April 1
Las Vegas, Nev.
2 p.m.
DePaul University
14-20,4-16Big East
61
vs
83
Cincinnati
19-15,7-13Big 12
1
2
F
DePaul
23
38
61
Cincinnati
33
50
83
Blue Demons Season Comes to an End At College Basketball Crown
4/1/2025 5:32:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
LAS VEGAS – Chris Holtmann's inaugural season at the helm of DePaul men's basketball officially came to a close Tuesday, April 1. The Blue Demons fell, 83-61, to Cincinnati in the first round of the College Basketball Crown. DePaul's appearance in the postseason tournament marked its first since the 2018-19 season.
CJ Gunn was DePaul's leading scorer for the eighth time this season with a game-high 16 points, in addition to five rebounds and three steals. Gunn was joined in double-digits by NJ Benson with 15, Isaiah Rivera with 14 and David Thomas with 11 points. Benson nabbed a game-high nine rebounds, finishing just shy of his 13th career double-double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were slow to get going as the game opened to a combined 4-of-17 shooting as DePaul (14-20) edged out a 7-5 lead. Rivera knocked down the team's first three of the game for a 12-10 lead. Cincinnati (19-15) responded with seven-straight points for a 17-12 lead. DePaul took advantage of several fouls from the Bearcats to remain in striking distance, 21-17.
After Cincinnati held a 10-point halftime lead, the Bearcats remained strong coming out of halftime with a quick pair of baskets. Gunn responded with back-to-back jumpers, keeping the deficit at 12, but Cincinnati continued to answer. After another Bearcat run, Cincinnati's lead ballooned to 20-points that put the game out of DePaul's reach.
OF NOTE
CJ Gunn was DePaul's leading scorer for the eighth time this season with a game-high 16 points, in addition to five rebounds and three steals. Gunn was joined in double-digits by NJ Benson with 15, Isaiah Rivera with 14 and David Thomas with 11 points. Benson nabbed a game-high nine rebounds, finishing just shy of his 13th career double-double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were slow to get going as the game opened to a combined 4-of-17 shooting as DePaul (14-20) edged out a 7-5 lead. Rivera knocked down the team's first three of the game for a 12-10 lead. Cincinnati (19-15) responded with seven-straight points for a 17-12 lead. DePaul took advantage of several fouls from the Bearcats to remain in striking distance, 21-17.
After Cincinnati held a 10-point halftime lead, the Bearcats remained strong coming out of halftime with a quick pair of baskets. Gunn responded with back-to-back jumpers, keeping the deficit at 12, but Cincinnati continued to answer. After another Bearcat run, Cincinnati's lead ballooned to 20-points that put the game out of DePaul's reach.
OF NOTE
- DePaul ends the season with a total of 314 three-pointers, a new program record.
- The Blue Demons also tallied 524 assists as a team, ranking as the fourth most in a single-season all-time and most since 1988-89.
Team Stats
DePaul
UC
FG%
.420
.493
3FG%
.263
.429
FT%
.667
.667
RB
30
38
TO
19
12
STL
6
16
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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